Theses : HonoursCopyright (c) 2018 Edith Cowan University All rights reserved.http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons
Recent documents in Theses : Honoursen-usMon, 19 Mar 2018 00:30:03 PDT3600Using physiological measures to measure changes in cognitive load associated with automaticity and transferhttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1516
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1516Mon, 12 Mar 2018 01:09:47 PDT
This study investigated the ability of two physiological measures, galvanic skin response and heat flux, to reflect changes in cognitive load using a variation of the dot counting task developed by Lassaline and Logan (1993). Concurrently, the robustness of the dual processing theory of automaticity was evaluated via disruption. The utilised task was designed to create a shift from controlled to automatic processing via practice, followed by a return to controlled processing via the introduction of a 6-digit memory recognition task designed to increase working-memory load and disrupt automaticity. As reaction time has previously been demonstrated to be a reliable performance measure of cognitive load, it was expected that there would be a positive relationship between reaction time, heat flux and galvanic skin response. The results found the expected pattern for reaction time, with an increase seen at the introduction of the memory task. Group results suggested automaticity was disrupted at this point, but analysis of individual data suggested automaticity endured for the majority of participants despite the contextual change in the task. This finding provides support for Instance Theory (Logan, 1988). The expected correlation between reaction time and galvanic skin response was not seen. Reductions in reaction time due to practice were correlated with reductions in heat flux due to practice, however, the expected increase at the introduction of the memory task was not seen. Whilst neither physiological measure was found to demonstrate an increase in cognitive load in this experiment, a task that was more cognitively challenging than the 6-digit memory recognition task may have produced more substantial results.
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Joanna VerdenWalter Smith III: A comparison of improvisational techniques on “July” (2014) and “Stablemates” (2009)http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1515
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1515Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:46:53 PDT
This dissertation compares the improvisational style of notable tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III when performing a jazz standard, as well as an original composition. As with other contemporary artists, there is little to no pre-existing literature discussing Smith despite his frequent collaboration with jazz luminaries such as Terence Blanchard, Eric Harland, Roy Haynes, Jason Moran, and Christian McBride, as well as contemporaries Christian Scott, Ambrose Akinmusire and Kendrick Scott. The primary aim of this dissertation is to transcribe, examine and compare Smith’s improvisations on July (2014) and Stablemates (2009). The harmonic, melodic and phrasing elements of Smith’s improvisation will be identified and discussed in terms of where and how they are being used. Common elements that comprise his unique improvisational style are examined to determine how their usage differs between these settings in terms of frequency and application. This research process has provided insight into how techniques already familiar to modern improvisers, from their study and practice of standard jazz repertoire, can be applied to the form and foreign harmonic landscapes conceived by contemporary composers. This investigation found that the phrasing and melodic elements of Smith’s improvisations are consistent in terms of frequency despite being applied in new ways. There is extensive evidence of a harmonic approach on Stablemates, whilst this approach is practically non-existent on July. Careful study of these techniques will inform how these improvisational devices can be used across both standard jazz and foreign harmonic settings, with the aim of improving my own and the performance practice of other modern improvisers.
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Tom WalshRock ‘n’ roll radio: A case study of ‘tactics’ and teenage identity in Perth, WA, 1955-1960http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1514
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1514Sun, 18 Feb 2018 20:00:45 PST
Post-war Australia was a time of celebration, of prosperity, abundance and consumerism. The booming economic and technological forces within Australia propelled the rise of popular culture and led to a transformation of traditions and identities. Most notable of these transformations was that of youth culture. The rise of the teenager, as a category of person and a consumer of culture, had an impact on the social interactions of many communities. At the same time, new technologies combined with newfound prosperity meant that popular culture, such as music, was available to all and radio became a prominent feature of everyday life. In addition, changing musical styles of the era (in this instance, I examine rock ‘n’ roll) were marketed towards teenagers, and this led to an expansion of self-expression and selfawareness amongst young people. This case study refers to the work of De Certeau (1984), specifically, his concept of ‘strategies’ and tactics’, and investigates the role that radio played in the emergence and development of a distinctive youth culture in Perth. A key focus of this study is to explore how radio addressed the new social categories of the post-war period, and the consequent impact of this on the everyday lives, practices and pasttimes of WA teenagers. Through semi-structured interviews and a content analysis of archival newspaper articles, this case study will measure the difference between those who experienced the social and cultural changes (teenagers), and those who reported on them (print media).
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Lorna BakerAn exploration of trumpet valve rotation: Its mechanics, sound, and notationhttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1513
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1513Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:35:31 PST
Many contemporary performers and composers seek new sounds through extension of traditional instrument techniques. For the trumpet one such extended technique is valve rotation, the rotation of a trumpet piston valve within its casing to effect the timbral complexity of airstream effects. Intrigued by the possibilities, I have embarked on an exploration of trumpet valve rotation, a path which has become significant to my creative practice. When searching for resources to inform my exploration it was evident that there is limited: documentation referring to trumpet valve rotation; investigation into the application of trumpet valve rotation in improvisation and composition; and methods for the effective communication (both aural and written) of the technique. Through the creation of two original works for solo trumpet and the development of both a static and animated notation this practice-based research aims to address these gaps in the academic literature. In addition detailed description of the physical parameters, sonic characteristics and best practice when using trumpet valve rotation are included. The included creative works are: iMprov #13 (2017) — solo trumpet improvisation, and Minutiae (2017) – for solo piston valve trumpet.
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Daniel Francis O'ConnorTo what extent do the objection to confiscation provisions in Part 6 of the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 (WA) protect the family home of an 'innocent party' from confiscation?http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1512
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1512Thu, 15 Feb 2018 23:23:01 PST
The Western Australian Government stated that the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 (WA) (‘CPCA’) will provide ‘the strongest and most effective’ confiscation powers in the world.1 It was observed by the High Court that the CPCA has enabled a confiscation of property scheme that has a ‘significant impact upon personal and property rights.’2 Strong powers to fight crime are justified, but it is critical that these powers are used responsibly and that innocent parties are protected. This thesis considers the extent to which the objection to confiscation provisions in Part 6 of the CPCA (‘the protections’) operate to protect the family home of an ‘innocent party’.
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Joel BondCreative awareness at LINK dance company 2017http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1511
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1511Wed, 14 Feb 2018 22:30:24 PST
LINK Dance Company at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) offers postgraduate students the opportunity to bridge the gap between graduate level studies in dance and professional practice. Students gain company experience whilst being able to further their research interests in dance throughout their pre-professional year. LINK Dance Company also encourages students to contribute to the choreographic process where possible to enhance professional practice. Using the Company in 2017 for an exploratory case study, the aim of this research was to investigate the presence of creative awareness in the choreographic process between choreographers and dancers. The research methodology involved mixed qualitative methods of participatory observations and informal interviews with participants on secondment with a professional dance company during the making of a new contemporary dance work. Common themes and habitual negative tendencies were expressed by the dancers during interviews and compared to a developed set of indicators of creative awareness. Observations of the choreographic process between the choreographer and dancer relationship were used to determine one of three pathways supporting how choreography was generated and how dancers understand their responses to choreographic instructions. The rationale for this approach was to identify attributes of professional creative competency (awareness) and gain an insight into how such attributes could assist students in transitioning from trainee dancer to professional contemporary dancer. In the course of the research I found numerous instances of what I refer to as ‘creative awareness’. I isolate the capacity to understand, demonstrate, produce and critically engage (or self-reflect) with important qualities, skills and techniques needed for a successful relationship between dancer and choreographer as pertaining to a creative awareness. I argue harnessing this awareness is necessary for a trainee dancer’s readiness to transition to a professional dancer.
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Lauren Ebony SherlockPerformance practice in Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies: A comparison of the Liszt-Pupil recordings of Hungarian Rhapsody No.12http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1510
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1510Thu, 01 Feb 2018 19:20:32 PST
Despite their enduring popularity as concert works, Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies have never won favour with the critics. Played in a literal, score-bound fashion these works can indeed offer little more than fodder for the performing pony. Nevertheless, through performances that successfully capture the spirit of this music—many of which are captured on early recordings—these works are vibrant, powerful, and stirring.

This dissertation explores the performance style associated with these works. At the centre of this study is a comparative analysis of seven recordings of Hungarian Rhapsody No.12 made by the following Liszt pupils: Arthur Friedheim, Arthur de Greef, Alfred Reisenauer, Emil von Sauer, Alexander Siloti, Bernhard Stavenhagen, and Josef Weiss. The findings from this analysis will be discussed alongside written sources concerning Liszt’s approach to performance in general, questioning how that approach might apply to the Hungarian Rhapsodies with their distinct musical language (known as the Style hongrois ).

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Nicholas WilliamsSaving behaviour in the Australian dream: Its relationship with aspiration and motivation, financial literacy, and materialismhttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1509
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1509Tue, 30 Jan 2018 23:01:07 PST
In Australia, most people aspire to achieve the “Australian dream” of owning their homes. Australian house prices have risen dramatically in comparison to people’s incomes, but despite this, many Australians still strive to enter the property market. The aim of this correlational study was to investigate the relationships between saving behaviour (with the ultimate goal of spending accumulated savings on a house deposit) and various psychological variables over and above sex, age, education, employment status, and income. The investigated predictor variables were motivation, extrinsic aspiration, financial literacy, and materialism. Previous research grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) has shown that intrinsic (autonomous) motivation predicts sustained effort in goal striving and goal attainment, whereas extrinsic (controlled) motivation does not. Theoretically, it was thought that extrinsic life aspirations (aspiring to achieve financial success and social recognition) would be related to saving money for the “Australian dream” because the goal imbibes notions of high(er) status, and is contingent upon being financially successful. There are no known studies to date on motivation and extrinsic aspiration within SDT for goal directed saving behaviour. Previous research on financial literacy has consistently shown that it is associated with better money management (i.e. financial behaviours such as saving, spending and borrowing money). In this study, the relationship between financial literacy and saving behaviour was investigated in the context of saving for a tangible durable, rather than saving for its own sake, or for something intangible such as retirement and emergencies. Lastly, previous research on materialism has consistently shown that it is negatively associated with saving for precautionary reasons; and positively associated with spending and credit card debt. Because of the inherently material nature of homes and the widespread desire to own them, the relationship between materialism and saving behaviour was investigated to find out if a different relationship would emerge. Participants living in Australia between the ages of 18 – 40-years (N = 230) completed an online survey. Hierarchical regression analyses and Pearson’s correlation showed that there was no relationship between types of motivation and saving behaviour; and no relationship between extrinsic aspiration and saving behaviour. Consistent with previous research, financial literacy was positively and significantly associated with saving behaviour; and materialism was negatively and significantly associated with saving behaviour. Scores for financial literacy were considerably low among participants. Although improving financial literacy would be beneficial for aspiring homeowners (and for everyone more broadly), saving behaviour probably would not improve dramatically because demographic variables and financial literacy explained only 5.4% of the variation in saving behaviour. Aspiring homeowners (particularly those who obtained higher scores on the measure for materialism) should prioritise addressing their spending tendencies associated with materialism before addressing financial literacy. Demographic variables and materialism explained 11% of the variation in saving behaviour. Study limitations and strengths, and suggestions for future research are presented.
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Ming d’Iapico-BienUsing EEG data to predict engagement in face-to-face conversationshttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1508
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1508Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:13:14 PST
To date engagement in face-to-face conversation has been studied almost exclusively through the post event measurement of self-reporting surveys or questionnaires. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used for decades to examine brain activity for both research and diagnostic purposes. Medical grade EEG equipment is both costly and confined to being used within laboratory settings. With the recent advent of off-the-shelf consumer grade portable EEG-devices, novel psychological research on cognitive computations that have traditionally been confined to self-report, is now a reality. Although it is well documented that people use their cognitive abilities during conversations, an extensive literature search found no studies on the use of EEG data to obtain a neurological engagement score during conversation. Consequently, the present study sought to remedy a gap in the literature, and capitalised on the readily available consumer-grade portable EEG equipment. A within-participants quantitative study with 42 participants examined whether EEG predicted engagement during face-to-face getting acquainted conversations. Participants’ alpha and beta brain activity were examined from EEG data collected during two separate conversations, and participants also completed a post-hoc self-report on their engagement and attention. The results of the study found a significant difference for participants’ alpha brain activity and engagement, but not for the beta activity and engagement. There was also no significant difference found for participants attention and their alpha or beta activity. A surprising additional finding in the present study was a within-participant consistency for both alpha and beta activity across the two conversations, which is consistent with individual differences stability found in other psychophysiological studies. Overall, the present study has found that alpha activity is necessary for neurological engagement during face-to-face getting acquainted conversations. Therefore, future research is warranted on the use of EEG as an additional tool in face-to-face communication to compliment self-report and measure engagement.
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Brooke MaddestraApology effectiveness: The impact of prior wrongful behaviour and voluntariness of apologies within juvenile justicehttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1507
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1507Tue, 30 Jan 2018 21:58:22 PST
The justice system diverts young offenders away from further contact through restorative justice processes. Juvenile justice conferencing allows for the goals of restorative justice to be met, including meeting the needs of victims and offenders. Apologies, when offered by offenders to victims within a conferencing setting, can assist with meeting these restorative goals. Apologies, however, need to be effective to have the desired outcome. Several variables influence the effectiveness of apologies, including the perceived voluntariness of apologies, with prompted apologies reducing apology effectiveness. The reduced effectiveness of prompted apologies might be an issue during conferencing as some offenders are prompted to apologise during these procedures. Prior wrongful behaviour of offenders is also thought to impact apology effectiveness, but there is no published research that investigates whether the impact of prior wrongful behaviour is different for voluntary and prompted apologies. Participants (N = 124), recruited through convenience sampling, were positioned as victims of a crime where they were asked to rate a voluntary or prompted apology from either an offender with prior police contact or no prior police contact. The findings of this study indicated that voluntary apologies were significantly more effective than prompted apologies, but prior wrongful behaviour did not have a significant effect
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Isolde LarkinsCognitive imagery training in a dancer’s deliberate practice: Skills development, confidence and creativityhttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1506
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1506Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:45:09 PST
Cognitive imagery training is an effective tool in improving skill learning, technique, confidence, anxiety and arousal management, recovery, rehabilitation, and performance in dancers. Multiple studies (Abbott & Collins 2004; Hall 2009; and Nordin and Cumming 2006, 2011) have established the positive influence imagery can have on dance and sport, and numerous researchers in these fields promote the incorporation of cognitive imagery training into ‘deliberate’ practice. Cognitive imagery, in relation to dance, is the detailed imaging of the execution/performance of movement in the mind. This thesis will outline imagery use: such as the types of imagery and how it can be measured; the benefits of imagery training – especially in relation to confidence and injury; the relationship between imagery, viewing dance and the modelling technique; and how to effectively incorporate cognitive imagery training into ‘deliberate’ dance practice. This study, supported by the above literature, revolved around the research question: what is the effect cognitive imagery training and the modelling technique have on skill mastery, and confidence and creativity in improvisation and creation, when incorporated in deliberate practice? I am a pre-professional contemporary dancer and I was the principal subject (and object) of the research enquiry. Conducted over eight weeks, the study utilized publicly available video clips of a movement aesthetic and a specific movement skill as material for the cognitive imagery and modelling technique training program. Additionally, imagery as a recovery and training tool during injury and rehabilitation was investigated due to an unexpected injury that I suffered during data collection. I collected data through journaling, and video recording of the physical practice was undertaken to compare my immediate internal response to the physical session with reflective practice. I conclude that I developed physically and artistically during this time – due to the combination of imagery training and the modelling technique, physical practice, and internal and external comparative reflections on these methods using journaling and video analysis.
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Sasha BramptonUnstable Ground: A novella - and - Riding Through Moratorium: Marcia’s Theory of Identity Formation and Young Adult Equine Literature: An exegesishttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1505
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1505Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:14:02 PST
This thesis consists of the creative component Unstable Ground, which blends equine fiction with Young Adult literature, and an explanatory exegesis. The creative component allowed me to examine how equine fiction can incorporate themes and conventions from the wider Young Adult genre. The explanatory exegesis discusses the equine and Young Adult genres, and how characterisation and narrative point-of-view were utilised to advance the protagonist’s moratorium, period of exploration. The aim of this thesis was to create a story that does not follow the formulas of pony books, but retains the horse as the driver of the story. The horse contributes to the protagonist’s moratorium, which is often present in Young Adult fiction, with a focus on occupation, physical identity, and social identity. Unstable Ground follows the adolescent protagonist, Alix, through moratorium as she manages her injured horse and exams in the final weeks of secondary education.
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Amie JohnstoneInvestigating the relationship between preferences for therapists’ sex and seeking mental health support among a sample of Australian respondentshttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1504
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1504Wed, 10 Jan 2018 18:00:03 PST
The proportion of male psychologists in Australia is discrepant to the proportion of male Australians with a mental health disorder, but due to gaps in the literature on help-seeking, it is difficult to establish if the discrepancy might deter some people from seeking support. A large but inconclusive body of research links sex preferences with therapeutic alliance and outcomes, but little is known on whether accommodating sex preferences affects willingness to seek support. Based on gender schema theory and expectation effects, it is a reasonable expectation that a person who believes therapy success is contingent on the sex of the therapist would be less likely to seek help if they were concerned their preference may not be met. The present study investigated the sex preferences of Australian respondents for a potential therapist and whether accommodating such preferences or not affects willingness to seek mental health support. The study employed a within subjects survey design and used a convenience sample of N = 563 participants recruited via social media. Demographics, sex preferences, problem type, and likelihood to seek mental health support if sex preference is accommodated or not were collected via an online questionnaire. Analyses included tests for group differences and regression. Three hypotheses were posed. Supporting the first hypothesis, male respondents reported lower baseline likelihood to seek mental health support than female respondents. Partially supporting the second hypothesis, a main effect of sex of respondent on sex preferences was found, but no main effect of problem type on sex preferences and no interaction of sex of respondent and problem type on preferences were found. Supporting the third hypothesis, accommodating sex preferences predicted helpseeking. In conclusion, it is prudent to encourage practitioners to monitor and accommodate client’s sex preferences. Additionally, more males could be encouraged to enter the mental health professions. This informs education and health policy. Future research could further explore the effects of occupation and problem type on sex preferences and help-seeking.
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Stephanie C. BlackResources, race and rights: A case study of Native Title and the Adani Carmichael coal minehttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1503
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1503Wed, 01 Nov 2017 18:46:22 PDT
This thesis examines the extent to which state institutions and government have taken into account Indigenous rights and interests during the approval process for a large mining development. This case study focuses on the various phases of approval for the proposed Adani Carmichael Coal Mine, a significant development that has challenged the native title system in Australia. It assesses the extent to which the rights and interests of the Wangan and Jagalingou people, the traditional owners that possess a native title claim over the region, have been upheld by the National Native Title Tribunal and the State and Federal Government. This thesis employs multiple theoretical perspectives to explain the outcomes of the approval process. While this study aims to critically review the existing literature, the application of two liberal culturalist perspectives and the broader framework of critical race theory contribute added insights in the area of native title and resource developments.
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Kate ArnautovicShanghainese parklife: Cultivating the Taoist body and exploring the traces of the absent figure and creature in the landscapehttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1502
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1502Mon, 16 Oct 2017 17:39:44 PDT
This creative Honours project explores Taoist body cultivation practices and the traces of the absent figure and creature in the landscape within Shanghainese parks. This exploration, presented in the form of a documentary and an audiovisual meditation, share a yin and yang relationship. Although they both contain elements of each other, the documentary celebrates body cultivation practices and their relationship to Taoism, while the audiovisual meditation examines the darker side of human relationships with the natural world in Shanghainese parks. Informed by Rod Giblett’s and Brian Eno’s theories concerning the human body’s relationship with the environment and the natural world, and Taoism’s most significant philosophers Lao Tzu (ca. 600-400 BC) and Chuang Tzu (ca. 550-250 BC), it seeks to find a place in which the Tao and it’s manifestations coexist.
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Brenton Mark RossowModelling financial risk: Essays in asset pricing and stress testinghttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1501
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1501Sun, 10 Sep 2017 23:27:07 PDT
This thesis comprises two chapters, with each contributing to the current body of knowledge surrounding financial risk modelling. Chapter-1 examines market risk by testing the new Fama-French Five-Factor Model. Chatper-2 focuses on Credit Risk, conducting a case study on the use of stress testing models on credit portfolios.

To improve on the previous Three-Factor Asset Pricing Model, Fama and French (2015) propose a new Five-Factor Model, adding portfolio factors that mimic profitability and investment patterns in stock returns. With limited testing of this model carried out so far, further testing is required to determine how effective the model is at explaining excess returns. Chapter-1 of this thesis uses Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression and Quantile Regression (QR) (Koenker & Bassett, 1978) to examine the effectiveness of this new factor model in modelling excess returns of the Dow Jones Industrial Average constituent stocks around the mean and across various quantiles of the return distribution. Starting with the Three-Factor Model and augmenting it one factor at a time to measure the impact of the proposed new investment and profitability factors.

Chatper-2 evaluates the credit risk in retail mortgage portfolios using a case study on stress testing, conducted at a bank in Western Australia as a part of honours industry project1. There has been a heightened emphasis on credit risk in the wake of the GFC, with regulators increasing their focus on the credit risk behaviour of banks. Regulators in Australia have a long history of strong regulation of banks, with a particular focus on credit risk. The case study in this chapter focuses on the use of stress testing as a tool for credit risk modelling, focusing on the use of macroeconomic stress testing models on retail mortgage portfolios by examining the literature surrounding stress testing process, and then providing a brief example on the empirical use of stress testing.

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Sarah HirstImpact of aquaporin (AQP1 and AQP4) genetic variation on the relationship between sleep quality and Alzheimer’s disease pathological hallmarkshttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1500
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1500Tue, 15 Aug 2017 22:14:36 PDT
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is widely recognised as a growing global health issue with far ranging social and economic implications. The accumulation of Amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain is a pathological hallmark of AD. A recently discovered lymphatic–like system in the central nervous system (termed the glymphatic system) has been postulated to be both implicit in the clearance of Aβ from the brain, and most effective during sleep—making sleep an important consideration in the investigation of AD. Central nervous system expressed water channel proteins, namely Aquaporin 1 and 4, have been suggested to play a pivotal role in glymphatic function and thus, clearance of Aβ from the brain. However, to-date this has only been investigated in AD rodent models and one human study of aquaporin/Aβ protein co-localisation in post mortem brain tissue.

Genetic variation in AQP1 and AQP4 SNPs was not associated with either an increased AD risk or differences in brain Aβ burden. However, genetic variation in AQP4, specifically rs12968026, was associated with altered, self-reported, “overall” sleep quality (PSQI total score). Further, this study reports that several SNPs in AQP1 and AQP4 moderate the conditional effect that three PSQI-determined sleep parameters, namely, sleep latency (time taken to fall asleep, in minutes), sleep duration (length of sleep, in hours) and daytime dysfunction (disruption of daytime activities due to sleepiness), had on brain Aβ burden.

Taken together, the results of this study add weight to the argument that the glymphatic system, is a major biological mechanism underpinning Aβ clearance from the brain. The findings also engender a greater understanding of what factors may moderate a sleep-AD phenotype relationship, and suggest that interventions targeted at improving suboptimal sleep parameters may be most effective at delaying AD onset when tailored to the genetics of the individual.

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Gavin Noel Mazzucchelli‘Invisible women’: German migrant women’s cultural identity in Western Australia, 1945-1973http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1499
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1499Mon, 07 Aug 2017 22:19:29 PDT
This study focused on the lived experiences of four German women who immigrated to Western Australia between 1945 and 1973. In 1945 post-WWII European migrants were permitted to immigrate to Australia for the first time since Federation and the introduction of the White Australia policy in 1901. 1973 signified the end of the White Australia policy and the beginning of establishing equality for migrants in Australia. Between 1945 and 1973 all migrants were expected to assimilate to the Australian culture and way of life and relinquish their own cultural identity. The aims of this study were to explore the impacts that negotiating the Australian way of life had on the German women’s cultural identity. Through their settlement experiences, the research sought to understand the ways in which the women developed a sense of belonging in Australia. Furthermore, this study sought to determine whether the women’s cultural identity could be visually represented through diptych photo-narratives composed of their portrait and a photograph of their mementoes. The project employed new ethnography and visual ethnography methodologies in life history interviews with four German women. Life histories are intensely personal and the aim of applying a new ethnographic focus was to represent the women’s stories in a way that reflected their lived realities. This was achieved through presenting each woman’s account in a storytelling format that offered a unique way of engaging with and analysing their cultural identities. The women participated in three interviews and had their portraits taken. They were asked to select personal mementoes that signified their cultural identity, which were then photographed. The aim of using a visual ethnographic approach was to create visual texts that reflected the women’s cultural identity in the context in which they interpreted their own identity. The photographic representation of the German women’s cultural identity through mementoes offered a new way of looking at and exploring cultural identity. The women’s experiences negotiating the Australian way of life were analysed against the theoretical frameworks of cultural identity, hybridity and ii national identity as defined by Stuart Hall (1992) and Homi Bhabha (1990). Taking a new ethnographic approach to the life history interviews of the four women produced rich, nuanced accounts of their settlement experiences. Analysis of the narratives found that despite encountering assimilation expectations and discrimination, 3 of the 4 women identified culturally as being Australian, while simultaneously retaining connections to their German identity. One of the women displayed a hybrid cultural identity, as defined by Bhabha (1990), that was developed through engagement with German and English languages within social and education contexts in Western Australia. The use of language provided a third space for creating meaning between the home and host cultures. For all of the women, development of a sense of belonging in Australia was influenced by government policy and the attitudes of the Australian people, as well as emotional and physical connections to Germany. Through the incorporation of mementoes, the diptych photo-narratives produced ‘portraits’ of the four women’s cultural identities that contained complex narratives that co-existed within the one space. The German migrant women’s narratives provided rich and powerful insights into the process of developing multiple cultural identities when negotiating life in Australia. The use of this new ethnographic approach aimed to transform the women from anonymous migrants to real, visible people. The multilayered narrative images visually represented the women’s processes of engagement with Australian and German cultures across multiple timeframes. The photographs seek to contribute to the space of discussion and understanding on the development of cultural identity. The results of this study may be beneficial for future immigration policy revisions or to better inform the greater community of the migrant experience in developing cultural identity and a sense of belonging in Australia.
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Sonja PorterChanging lives through music: Professional audition practice and a community focus; an explorative study into the musical development of the Western Australian Charity Orchestrahttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1498
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1498Mon, 10 Apr 2017 20:57:18 PDT
In 2008, the Western Australian Charity Orchestra (WACO) was formed with a mission to change lives through music. It was hoped that by providing the opportunity for members to play music that was rewarding and challenging within a positive, friendly environment, they would be free to motivate each other to create excellent music. Embedded within a charitable and community focus it was further hoped that the result was an orchestra that would achieve increasing musical capability and community connectedness.

Through the exploration into the practices of selected community orchestras combined with the results of a survey and action research model, I will be attempting to ascertain if the combination of a professional audition process and a charitable mission makes a notable difference to the standard of the music and the experience of musicians.

It is possible that community orchestras may have greater impact on the players, on the audience members and on the wider musical community, if their focus was twofold; to come together through an unbiased audition process to create satisfying musical performances within the guise of raising awareness and supporting charitable organisations.

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Samuel ParryThe classification of the finger frames method in violin playinghttp://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1497
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1497Mon, 10 Apr 2017 20:00:22 PDT
From the first stage of learning new repertoire, string pedagogy aims to present violinists with effective strategies to achieve accurate intonation in performance. The search for new teaching and learning strategies, whilst running the risk of being seen as unconventional compared to more tried and tested methods (i.e. Suzuki), can on the other hand provide the tutor with new tools for enhancing their teaching practice. Western Australian violinist Fleur Challen has developed a method titled Finger Frames; a learning strategy that uses a colour coding system to prepare a violinist for changes in left hand position, reducing the cognitive load during the process of sight-reading new repertoire. In the field of psychology, research has been undertaken on artificial synaesthesia to indicate that when two particular senses are linked together, it eliminates a stage of processing between them, therefore reducing cognitive load. This research paper aims to document Challen’s Finger Frames method, and to argue how related research on artificial synaesthesia and Cognitive Load Theory can help to explain why such a system may work. This research involves a qualitative discussion of the Finger Frames method with respect to string pedagogy, motor learning and muscle memory, and psychology, and includes an interview with Challen.
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Brittany Williams